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Are Stop Signs/Speed Limits Enforceable In Parking Lots?
The “laws of the road” apply to publicly owned (local or state) parking structures (garages or lots).
Privately held lots, on the other hand, (which make up the majority of commercial retail complexes), are not bound by the regulations of the road, so a traffic ticket would not be issued if you ran a stop sign in a private parking structure.
However, this does not imply that the driver is free to operate the vehicle without regard for safety considerations. If you cause a crash by running a stop sign, for example, you will be held civilly accountable, and you will be held criminally guilty if the accident results in injuries.
There are also various restrictions that ban “reckless driving” in off-street parking facilities, whether private or public, and all DUI penalties still apply. The signals and signs placed at the exits and entrances of parking facilities are designed to manage how traffic enters and leaves the facility and how it interacts with public roadways.
Keep reading and find out more about enforceable traffic signs and prevent any driving incidents in the future.
First of All, What Are the Parking Lot Etiquette Rules?
There are five basic guidelines to remember when parking:
1. Obey Speed Limits
On the walls of most parking garages, speed restriction signs are displayed. Even in the absence of signs, you should maintain a maximum speed of 15mph. Not doing so would be counterproductive. Pedestrians, particularly children, are common in parking lots. It’s imperative that you keep a close eye on the road and drive slowly. Vehicles backing out of spaces and vehicles driving down the aisle are two of the most common causes of parking lot accidents.
2. Park in a Courteous Manner
We’ve all come across drivers who think their vehicles are too valuable to park in a single spot, and they use two or more parking places. When parking your car, you should be considerate and follow the directional signs. Parking in the middle of the parking lot will make it easier for other drivers to get out of their vehicles and for you to get into your vehicle.
3. Don’t Wait for Anyone
Do not wait for other drivers to walk to their cars, load up all their shopping bags, get in, turn the key, and drive out of the parking spot. If you decide to wait, you will cause a traffic jam that doesn’t need to happen. If you park farther away and walk the extra distance, it will take you less time. Waiting for drivers to get back to their cars is very frustrating for other drivers trying to park, and it causes delays all over the parking lot, not just where you are.
4. Don’t Forget to Use Turn Signals
In a parking lot, using turn signals can help you save a spot. Blinkers are used to indicate the intended direction of your vehicle to others. Do you want to park in a location that is empty but has vehicles behind you? All you have to do now is activate your blinkers. You will not only be safeguarding other vehicles by using your blinkers, but you will also be indicating pedestrians so that they can safely navigate the metal and concrete jungle.
5. Always Drive in the Right Direction
Some drivers appear to believe that once they reach a parking lot, regular driving rules no longer apply.
Who cares if you drive along the parking lot in the opposite direction?
Other drivers in the parking lot, in fact, are concerned. Each parking lot is different; some have a single one-way aisle, while others have two. You must pay attention as a motorist. There will be arrows pointing in the appropriate driving direction in most parking lots.Look at the way the parking stalls have been designed in parking lots where there are no arrows to denote direction.
It’s most likely a two-way parking lot if the aisles are perpendicular and vehicles can travel in both ways. If the parking spaces are arranged diagonally, you should take a second to assess the traffic flow in the aisle. The flow of traffic will be indicated by the direction of the diagonal spaces.
It’s a one-way street when the stalls on both sides of the aisle all point inward. Keep in mind that you should only travel in the direction where you can easily find a parking spot.
In simple words, stop signs/speed limits are not enforced in parking lots
If you’re inside a parking lot, regulations are usually not enforced. However, if a sign communicates with vehicles exiting a parking lot from the right-of-way or the roadway, it is enforceable because it was placed there in response to a traffic control order by road authorities.
Is it possible for police officers to enforce any traffic restriction signs put on private property?
If a collision or accident occurs, the police officer will note that traffic control signs were present in the report, and the insurance company responsible for reimbursement will take that into consideration.
They’re a few exceptions:
Traffic citation will be issued to you if you park your vehicle in a disabled parking place or in a fire lane. As long as the signs are properly placed, they are usually enforceable, and citations can be issued for breaching them. Because some roads in malls and other private properties are public roadways, the signs posted there are entirely enforceable. Stop signs are used to demarcate who has the right of way. It will result in mayhem if the rules of the road are not followed in parking lots.
Handicapped parking spaces and fire lanes are distinct because they are mandated by the state and, in some cases, by local ordinances. Property owners must follow strict requirements regarding the quantity of accessible parking places, as well as the signage and positioning of handicapped spaces and fire lanes.
Kindly contact us at Ticket Snipers if you have any questions about speed limits or stop signs being enforced in parking lots and how to defend yourself against any type of traffic ticket. We are available 24/7 if you’d like to chat with one of our trained consultants about defense against parking lot infractions.